Girls Individuals:
Emily Covert (Minneapolis Washburn), Anna Fenske (Farmington), Lauren Peterson (Farmington), Lauren Ping (Winona Cotter), Tierney Wolfgram (Math & Science Academy)
After qualifying for Footlocker Nationals this past weekend, Tierney Wolfgram's focus shifts to building off of her impressive win at NXR Heartland, and translating it onto the national stage.
She is targeting a top-21 finish (All-American honors), and has continued her training with MSA teammates, Harris Anderson, Jack Osborne, Brendan, and Aric Brodie throughout the postseason.
Although a little nervous about rainy conditions and what kind of shape the course will be in, Wolfgram is excited to run amongst the nation's best. "Nike has exceeded my expectations, and it is such a privilege to be here!"
After a 22nd place finish at NXN last year, just off the standard to be an All-American, Anna Fenske is looking to put together a good race that will give her a shot at a top-10 finish. Fenske has been tapering these past couple of weeks and focusing on speed workouts.
The national stage is nothing new for Fenske, and her experience (although only a freshman) has kept the nerves at bay. "I'm super excited to be a part of such a great experience with such great runners and people!"
Lauren Peterson is also an experienced runner on the national stage, finishing 30th at Nike Nationals last year. Come Saturday, she hopes to get out fast and hold on to the lead pack. Last year she made the mistake of getting caught in the crowd, and found it difficult to move up.
Her training has continued throughout the postseason without a hitch, and she is excited to race because she has some experience under her belt and knows what to expect. "I'm also really excited to hangout with all of the speedy MN girls!"
Lauren Ping has emerged onto the scene in outstanding fashion this year, with a runner-up finish at State, and a fourth place finish at NXR Heartland. Only a seventh grader, Ping has a chance to really enjoy her first national meet as a competitor (having attended the past two competitions to watch her older sister Grace compete), as there will likely be plenty to come in her future. Expect her to be in contention for a top-20 or 30 finish, and she definitely has a chance to match or beat the 14th-place finish of her sister two years ago when Grace was in 7th grade.
Finally, Emily Covert will look to cap off a fantastic junior season with a top-10 finish at NXN. After an impressive 3rd-place finish at Foot Locker Midwest against a loaded field last weekend (with the fastest time for any Minnesota athlete at that competition outside of Maria Hauger), Covert continues to demonstrate her ability to be in contention in every race she runs, and she has never once appeared overwhelmed or unprepared in spite of her increased presence on the national stage. She may even be one of the few runners that smiles throughout the race!